Category: iWorld

Prime Video strikes deal with France Télévisions as streamers forge unlikely alliances

PARIS: Streaming is making for some unlikely bedfellows. After Netflix’s recent tie-up to carry TF1’s linear channels in France, Amazon Prime Video has now inked a landmark pact with France Télévisions. The move brings the public broadcaster’s full arsenal of content—France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Info—onto Prime Video in France, available to all subscribers.

The partnership opens up access to preview and replay programming, exclusive content and marquee events including the Tour de France, Women’s Euro, Women’s Rugby World Cup, plus drama, docs, entertainment, kids shows and rolling news.

“With this unprecedented distribution method, our group is taking a historic step toward strengthening the visibility of its public service offering,” said France Télévisions president & CEO Delphine Ernotte Cunci. “It allows audiences to rediscover the richness of france.tv in new digital environments.”

“Following Max, Paramount+, Ciné+OCS, Universal+ and MGM+, alongside 43 additional channels, we are delighted to have reached this agreement and to be able to make France Télévisions’ extensive catalog available to all our Prime customers in France,” added Prime Video France general manager Christophe Deguine. “We are constantly looking for new ways to expand the quality content offering to our customers and confirm Prime Video as the number one entertainment destination

As streamers across the globe cosy up to traditional broadcasters, eyes now turn to India. Netflix is already showing Sony’s evergreen cop drama CID.; JioHotstar is the home of HBO, Peacock and other global players.

Could a wider wave of streamer-broadcaster tie-ups be on the cards with Netflix, JioHotstar, Z5, SonyLiv or Prime? Watch this space.

July 8, 2025
Samsung TV Plus adds B4U’s blockbuster channels to its Fast lineup

MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus, India’s top free ad-supported streaming television (Fast) service, has amped up its entertainment play by onboarding four of B4U Network’s most popular channels — B4U Movies, B4U Music, B4U Kadak and B4U Bhojpuri.

The tie-up boosts Samsung TV Plus’s tally to over 125 Fast channels, adding heft to its bid to dominate the connected TV (CTV) landscape. The platform continues to court the country’s digital-first viewers with a curated smorgasbord of films, music, and regional hits — all at zero cost.

“Our mission is to deliver unmatched access and exceptional value to both our audiences and advertisers on the Samsung TV Plus platform. By introducing new Fast Channels from the house of B4U, we aim to enhance access to the latest from the world of entertainment. This collaboration with B4U underscores our dedication to this vision,” said Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta.

B4U, a stalwart in Indian broadcasting with reach across more than 100 countries, brings to the table a rich trove of Hindi cinema, chart-topping music and vibrant regional fare.

“Connected TV (CTV) has emerged as a significant force in the Indian media landscape, revolutionizing how audiences consume content,” said B4U chief revenue officer Johnson Jain.“In line with this, our approach has pivoted on reaching a broader and more diverse audience base. We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Samsung TV Plus, bringing our curated set of channels to their platform. Through this partnership, we aim to engage viewers with high-quality entertainment — featuring top-tier movies and the best in music — delivered seamlessly on a premium CTV experience.”

As the race to capture eyeballs in India’s connected homes intensifies, the Samsung-B4U alliance serves up a potent mix of nostalgia, pop culture and mass appeal — positioning the Fast service as a go-to destination for free, high-quality entertainment.

July 7, 2025
Fashion sizzles on CTV with 97 per cent ad completion rate: VDO.AI report

MUMBAI; Viewers in India are tuning in and staying glued to fashion ads on connected TV, with a staggering ~97 per cent video completion rate, according to a new report from adtech player VDO.AI. The study, released on 4 July, reveals that fashion brands are reaping the benefits of immersive, distraction-free CTV formats, with advanced formats like DCO and API-triggered ads powering 67 per cent of top-performing campaigns.

Fashion storytelling is thriving in CTV’s premium environments, particularly in southern cities. Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Goa are leading the charge, posting an 87 per cent higher engagement rate compared to their northern counterparts, including Delhi and Jaipur.

VDO.AI co-founder & chief executive Amitt Sharma said: “CTV represents the convergence of cinematic storytelling capability with precision target ing that fashion brands require. Such a heightened completion rate validates our thesis that when content quality meets the right viewing environment, consumer engagement follows naturally. We are sure these insights will help fashion marketers make the right decision to move beyond traditional impression-based campaigns toward more sophisticated storytelling approaches that build emotional connections with consumers.”

Co-founder & chief technology officer Arjit Sachdeva pointed to the visual appeal of CTV for fashion campaigns. “CTV provides a high-quality, distraction-free, full-screen experience, especially powerful for a visually driven category like fashion.,” he explained. “As a result, fashion brands are increasingly leveraging advanced CTV advertising formats to create shopping-like experiences. Interactive elements such as CTV carousel ads and store discovery units are enabling viewers to explore collections and brand offerings without leaving their screens, mimicking the intuitive browsing behaviour familiar from social media and e-commerce
platforms.”

As fashion advertisers chase performance over reach, VDO.AI’s latest data signals a fundamental shift—CTV is no longer just for awareness; it’s driving real engagement, brand recall and intent.

July 7, 2025
Panchayat season 4 breaks records worldwide, Prime Video confirms season 5 for 2026

MUMBAI: Panchayat has done it again only bigger, sharper, and more global than ever. The rural drama returned to Prime Video with season 4 on 24 June, and within days, shattered all previous franchise records, earning its highest-ever opening week.

From trending in over 42 countries to clocking streams in 180+ nations and 95 per cent of India’s pin codes, Panchayat is no longer just small-town storytelling, it’s a full-blown global phenomenon with an Indian accent.

The show anchored by its powerhouse cast including Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik, Sanvikaa, Chandan Roy, and others—struck a nostalgic, satirical chord once again, proving that real storytelling doesn’t need frills, just a filter-less view of rural India.

The fan-favourite series from TVF hit the Top 10 charts on Prime Video in the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, and Australia on launch day alone. In India, it promptly claimed the #1 trending spot and made its way into living rooms across nearly every corner of the country—from bustling metros to the most remote districts.

Since its debut in 2018, Panchayat has been more than just entertainment, it’s been a cultural mirror. Season 2 bagged the first-ever Best Web Series (OTT) Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India in 2023. Each season has built steadily on the last, but season 4 has truly pushed the envelope in terms of reach and resonance.

“We are absolutely delighted with the phenomenal response to Panchayat Season 4, which has further elevated the series’ stature and set new benchmarks for authentic storytelling,” said Prime Video India director & head – content licensing, Manish Menghani. “The season’s exceptional viewership across India and in over 180 countries within its launch week is a testament to its universal appeal and deep cultural resonance. With its heartfelt narrative and relatable characters, Panchayat has evolved into a global phenomenon, transcending borders and touching audiences with its warmth, simplicity, and authenticity. This milestone not only reflects the enduring love for the series but also reinforces the growing global appetite for rooted, Indian stories. We’re excited to share that work has already begun on Season 5, and we look forward to continuing the journey of Phulera and its beloved characters.”

“It has been a truly extraordinary journey collaborating with Prime Video to bring Panchayat to life and witness its incredible growth over the years,” said The Viral Fever (TVF) president, Vijay Koshy. “This series holds a special place in our hearts, as it beautifully captures the charm, humor, and nuances of rural India, celebrating the power of simple, human storytelling. Panchayat reflects the shared vision and values we hold with Prime Video: to tell meaningful, relatable stories that resonate with audiences across geographies. We are deeply grateful for the overwhelming love season 4 has received—not just from viewers across India, but from audiences around the world. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible cast and crew whose passion and dedication made this journey possible, and to the fans whose unwavering support continues to inspire us. We’re excited for what lies ahead and look forward to bringing season 5 to audiences in 2026.”

Whether it’s the deadpan delivery of Abhishek Tripathi, the wisdom of Manju Devi, or the bureaucratic chaos of Phulera, Panchayat continues to thrive on a rare blend of wit, heart, and hyperlocal relatability.

As development on season 5 kicks off, one thing’s clear: in the age of high-stakes thrillers and big-budget spectacles, Panchayat is the quiet revolution that just won’t stop trending.

July 7, 2025
HT Labs inks bold MoU with The Doers Company

MUMBAI: HT Labs, the innovation and product arm of HT Media, is going global. In a high-powered move blending startups, strategy, and smart cities, the company has signed a strategic MoU with The Doers Company, Europe’s leading innovation platform behind flagship events like Reflect Festival and the upcoming Doers Summit.

The deal, signed at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) under the patronage of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), sets the stage for a three-nation innovation corridor spanning India, Cyprus, and the UAE—with OTTplay, India’s first AI-powered OTT aggregator, at its core.

What’s on the menu? Access to European innovation networks, cross-border pilots, founder-investor matchmaking, and a high-impact launchpad via Cyprus into Europe and Dubai for media-tech experiments in smart city infrastructure.

The timing is razor-sharp. It follows a wave of diplomatic activity, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus and a tech-heavy Cypriot delegation’s Dubai mission—featuring chief scientist of Cyprus, Demetris Skourides, who has become a key catalyst in this three-way partnership.

Commenting on the partnership, Skourides remarked,

“I would like to thank Mr. Avinash for his trust in our ecosystem and look forward to further profiling how Cyprus and other investors can benefit from bidirectional value creation. Such collaborations are the foundational pillars that build the future.”

Dubai Silicon Oasis deputy director general Badr Buhannad said,

“Dubai Silicon Oasis was envisioned as a smart, future-ready hub for innovation, talent, and entrepreneurship. Hosting the Doers Summit in partnership with The Doers Company aligns perfectly with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 to position the city among the world’s leading digital and economic centres. The Summit reinforces our mission to attract forward-looking ventures and connect European and Middle Eastern innovators—accelerating cross-border collaboration in support of the UAE’s vision for digital economy growth and global competitiveness.”

HT Labs co-founder & CEO Avinash Mudaliar added, “At HT Labs, this isn’t just an expansion—it’s a strategic leap into the future. Dubai Silicon Oasis offers the ideal launchpad to take India’s most disruptive, AI-driven innovations to the world. At the core of our work is TaaS—Technology-as-a-Service—delivering scalable, AI-powered solutions across video, apps, web, and content systems that boost engagement, unlock new revenue, and enable global growth.With our strong focus on intelligent, tech-first solutions, we see immense potential to co-create platforms that resonate globally.

What truly elevates this journey is the camaraderie we’ve built—especially with visionaries like Demetris Skourides, chief scientist of Cyprus. His insights and spirit of collaboration have made him not just a strategic ally, but a trusted friend in our cross-border mission.

With OTTplay leading our media-tech push, we’re excited to align with DSO’s smart city vision and deliver transformative experiences in entertainment and data intelligence. This marks a defining chapter in building globally relevant platforms from India.”

Also speaking on the occasion, The Doers Company & managing partner, zero one hundred, Dusan Duffek said, “With a young, tech-savvy population and a booming innovation ecosystem, Indian startups such as OTTplay etc. offer some of the most exciting investment opportunities globally. Similarly, startups from Europe and the Middle East are now building some of the most consequential technologies, which will have an impact not only regionally, but globally. We believe now is the time to build bridges, not borders, and connect this energy with global capital and strategic partners”.

The Doers Company co-founder & CEO Stylianos Lambrou added, “We see a significant opportunity in India. With our growing presence in Greece, Cyprus, and now Dubai, we’re uniquely positioned to bridge the gap, providing Indian startups & companies with access to Europe, and offering European startups and companies a pathway into India. The strong relationship between my country and India gives us a powerful advantage, enabling us to amplify our impact across both regions.”

With Cyprus positioning itself as a European gateway for Indian tech and Dubai doubling down on its digital infrastructure bets, the deal is more than just a handshake—it’s a multi-regional runway for talent, capital, and innovation to flow freely.

Call it a soft-power play or a smart power shift—either way, HT Labs is now officially in the global game.

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July 7, 2025
Glow and Lovely sparks a PIN-code power surge with The Glow Up Academy

MUMBAI: Who says you need a ring light to shine? Glow & Lovely is flipping the spotlight with a movement that’s as local as your PIN code and as bold as your voice. Glow & Lovely, one of India’s most iconic skincare brands, has dropped a bold new campaign titled ‘Apni Roshni Baahar La’ (Bring Out Your Inner Light) and it’s more than just a slogan. It’s a full-blown movement to nurture 19,101 women creators, one from every PIN code in India.

At the heart of this ambitious rollout is The Glow Up Academy, a creator-skilling initiative that aims to turn scroll-happy Gen Zs and millennials into full-fledged digital influencers. The programme combines structured learning modules, mentorship, and real-world content strategy to help women own their narratives, one reel at a time.

Forget influencers peddling #ads for likes. This campaign is built on a deeper truth: authenticity is the new algorithm. Whether it’s Shehnaaz Gill, Jannat Zubair, or Chum Darang, the campaign film stars a powerhouse of self-made women rewriting the rules of influence from the streets of Shillong to the stories of Surat.

“This isn’t just a rebrand, it’s a cultural shift,” said Hindustan Unilever executive director for beauty & wellbeing Harman Dhillon. “We’re not asking women to conform; we’re inviting them to stand out, to lead with light rooted in courage and individuality.”

The campaign, conceptualised by Ogilvy Mumbai, leans heavily into a social-first strategy. Expect to see it on Instagram, Youtube, and just about every platform where real influence bubbles up. It will also hit the ground through regional content rollouts and local Glow Up Academy activations, making sure even the smallest towns aren’t left in the digital dark.

Ogilvy India (West) chief creative officer Anurag Agnihotri puts it simply: “Every woman carries a light the world needs to see. It’s time she leads with it.”

In a digital universe crowded with filters and follow-bait, ‘Apni Roshni Baahar La’ offers something radical: realness. And with 19,101 creators-in-the-making, this might just be the biggest glow-up India’s creator economy has ever seen.

July 4, 2025
S8ul adds global stars to CODM roster ahead of Esports World Cup 2025

MUMBAI: If Call of Duty had a multiverse, S8ul Esports just assembled the Avengers version of a roster. S8ul Esports is locked, loaded, and gunning for global glory as it unveils a turbocharged Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM) lineup featuring some of the most decorated names in the game. The Indian esports juggernaut has added Jezz (USA), Frann (Indonesia) and Marvel (France) to its already promising CODM squad, ahead of its international campaign at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh.

Joining the elite trio are coach ZIM winner of the 2020 Best CODM Coach Award and strategic analyst Cali Gaming, who’ll be decoding gameplay and fine-tuning tactics from the sidelines. The revamped roster now includes six players from across the globe, including Indian players Samruddha (SAMs), Samartha (JOKOs) and Rishi Dubey (Trunks).

And these aren’t just flashy imports. Jezz, aged 21, was part of the squad that clinched the 2022 CODM World Championship, netting a cool 700,000 dollars (approx. Rs 6 crore) in prize money. He’s consistently placed in the Top 8 globally and recently triumphed at the Snapdragon Pro Series Season 5 – North America.

Frann brings serious heat from Southeast Asia, having won every Major Series title from Season 7 to 12 and finishing Top 8 at the 2023 World Championship. Marvel, the French phenom, adds Euro-style precision with wins at SPS Season 5 (India) and Season 6 (Europe), and a Top 5 finish at the 2021 West Finals.

With this blend of global talent and homegrown stars, S8ul becomes the only Indian organisation competing across 12 esports titles, reinforcing its ambition to be more than just dominant, it wants to be definitive.

S8ul co-founder Naman Mathur aka Mortal called the signings “a big moment for us not just as a team, but as a community.” He added that the new roster reflects S8ul’s broader vision: “To build strong, competitive teams while staying true to who we are.”

With its foot firmly on the gas and crosshairs locked on Riyadh, S8ul isn’t just playing to compete, it’s playing to rewrite the rulebook for Indian esports.

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July 3, 2025
Moneycontrol launches Super Pro with expert tips and real-time AI alerts

MUMBAI: In the noisy circus of market chatter, Moneycontrol’s new Super Pro is tossing out the megaphone and handing you a scalpel. Moneycontrol, already India’s biggest financial content destination, is levelling up its premium offering with the launch of Moneycontrol Super Pro, a subscription tier built for those who want to go from market watchers to market movers.

Launched at a special price of Rs 2,499 (until 15 July 2025), Super Pro doesn’t just promise deeper insights, it delivers real-time actionable strategies, sharp charting tools, and AI-powered alerts, all tailored for the serious trader and informed investor.

At the heart of the offering is Alpha Generators, a feature that plugs subscribers directly into the brains of four SEBI-registered experts: Ambareesh Baliga, Nooresh Merani, Dhaval Vyas, and Dhwani Patel (CMT). Expect exclusive trading strategies, investment ideas, and constant updates designed to keep you one step ahead of the market’s mood swings.

Next up: exclusive chart patterns hand-picked by technical analysts to identify breakout opportunities before they hit mainstream radar. Whether you’re hunting reversals or riding momentum, Super Pro gives you tools to spot trends before the herd does.

But the most intriguing feature might just be the AI Stock Alert, a real-time Whatsapp-based notification system that flags key corporate announcements on your chosen stocks. Earnings surprises, board reshuffles, regulatory twists? You’ll know when the market knows.

The launch builds on Moneycontrol’s digital dominance. With over 100 million unique visitors in 2024, and 1 million plus paying subscribers to Moneycontrol Pro, the platform ranks among the top 15 global news subscription services, according to Press Gazette’s 2025 “100k Club” ranking.

Super Pro is a calculated leap from insight to initiative fusing analysis, AI and access into one sleek package for those looking to cut through the noise and act with conviction.

In a market where timing is everything and clarity is rare, Super Pro isn’t just a toolkit, it’s a trading compass with edge. And for investors looking to be more shark than fish, it might just be the upgrade they were waiting for.

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July 3, 2025
India rises as the world’s third largest IPO hub, surpassing China

MUMBAI: India IPO rankings, global IPO market, SEBI reforms, confidential filings, Axis Capital, IPO pipeline India, Reliance Retail IPO, Indian startups, public markets, capital markets, retail investors, valuation sensitivity

India has rapidly emerged as a major force in the global initial public offering (IPO) market, now ranking as the world’s third-largest hub for public listings—and at times, even surpassing China. Not more than a decade ago, India sat outside the top ten. Today, it is one of the leading forces in the world when it comes to reshaping domestic capital markets and altering how global investors view growth, innovation, and capital access across emerging economies.

Fueling this rise is a confluence of global and domestic tailwinds. Indian mutual funds and retail investors now contribute over half of the capital raised in public issues, signalling a deepening pool of local capital that insulates the market from external volatility. Regulatory reforms have added momentum: the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced faster listing timelines, confidential filings, and T+1 settlements—shrinking the IPO cycle from nearly two years to under nine months.

The confidential route, adopted by companies such as boAt, Physics Wallah, and Shadowfax, has widened the IPO pipeline to include more mature and strategically timed listings. This reformdriven flexibility has been crucial in attracting a diverse set of issuers.

As of mid-2025, more than 140 IPOs are in the queue with a combined estimated value of $26 billion, cutting across sectors including financial services, renewables, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). Unlike the last IPO boom, which leaned heavily on tech, the current wave reflects a more balanced mix. Major players like LG Electronics India, Credila, and JSW Cement are already preparing to list.

India raised $6.6 billion through IPOs in 2023, enough to claim third place globally after China and the United States. That momentum only accelerated in 2024, with India not only surpassing China in IPO proceeds but also setting a national record for deal count. In the first half of 2025 alone, Indian issuers have raised nearly $6 billion—accounting for more than 10 per cent of global IPO proceeds and 22 per cent of total global deal volume.

A recent report by law firm White & Case noted that the country’s IPO momentum is largely domestic: billion-dollar offerings are being funded by local institutions rather than relying on foreign inflows.

That said, challenges persist. Valuation sensitivity remains top of mind, with investment bankers cautioning that deals priced more than 10–15 per cent above listed peers are unlikely to find favour. Some companies have already revised pricing expectations downward. Additionally, global market turbulence can still affect timelines. SEBI is also under pressure to streamline its approval processes, a task it is addressing through increased automation and digitisation.

Despite these headwinds, the outlook remains strong. Goldman Sachs estimates that India could raise $25 billion in IPO proceeds in calendar 2025, especially if large mandates like Reliance Retail or Hyundai Motor India materialise. Even without those mega-deals, India’s deepening investor base, policy stability, and sectoral diversity suggest it will retain its global standing.

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July 3, 2025
Shadowfax files for IPO via confidential route, aims Rs 2,000-2,500 crore fundraise

MUMBAI: Bengaluru-based logistics firm Shadowfax Technologies Ltd has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) through the confidential route, signalling its plans to go public. The move comes roughly three months after the company transitioned into a public entity.

Shadowfax is aiming to raise between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 2,500 crore through the initial public offering, which will comprise a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale (OFS) by existing investors. Key backers including Flipkart, Eight Roads Ventures, and NGP Capital are expected to dilute part of their holdings through the OFS component.

ICICI Securities, JM Financial, and Morgan Stanley are acting as lead advisors to the issue. The company is targeting a post-listing valuation in the range of Rs 5,500–6,000 crore, according to individuals familiar with the development. As per TheKredible, Shadowfax was last valued at approximately Rs 5,981 crore ($712 million) during the first tranche of its Series F funding round earlier this year.

Founded in 2015 by Abhishek Bansal, Vaibhav Khandelwal, Praharsh Chandra, and Gaurav Jaithliya, Shadowfax operates in the last-mile logistics segment, serving e-commerce and hyperlocal categories such as grocery, food, and pharmaceuticals. The company claims a network of over 1.25 lakh monthly active delivery partners across India.

To date, Shadowfax has raised around $246 million in equity funding. Eight Roads Ventures remains the largest external investor, followed by Flipkart, NewQuest Asia, and Nokia Growth Partners.

Financially, the company reported revenues of Rs 1,885 crore in FY24, marking a 33.2 per cent year-on-year growth. It also significantly narrowed losses—from Rs 142 crore in FY23 to Rs 11.8 crore in FY24, representing a 91 per cent reduction.

Shadowfax now joins a growing list of Indian startups eyeing public listings. Recent confidential DRHP filers include PhysicsWallah, boAt, Urban Company, Shiprocket, Groww, Pine Labs, Capillary Technologies, Wakefit, and Curefoods, underlining a renewed momentum in India’s startup IPO pipeline.

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July 2, 2025